Water had to be released due to higher inflow to Doyang Reservoir: NEEPCO

With Assam infuriated with North Eastern Electric Power Corporation’s (NEEPCO) decision to release waters causing heavy floods in Golaghat, NEEPCO, on Sunday, has clarified that the water inflow to Doyang reservoir in Wokha district of Nagaland was much higher than the normal range of inflow, compelling release of excess water by opening the gates at 5.30 am on July 27 in a controlled manner. It said excess water beyond the capacity of the reservoir cannot be absorbed by it and flows to the downstream area.

According to reports, NEEPCO Senior Manager LA Kharmawphlang stated that this was foretold to the Assam administration during a series of meetings. He pointed out that incessant rainfall in the upper catchment area caused the reservoir water level to increase abruptly since July 25.

According to Kharmawphlang, the recent flood in the Golaghat district was due to unprecedented rainfall in the entire catchment of Dhansiri river and that the Doyang catchment was only a part.

He said the water inflow to Doyang reservoir was more than 600 cum/sec since July 27, and it rose to more than 1,150 cum/sec on July 31.

It was stated that NEEPCO shared information with Golaghat District Disaster Management Authority on a regular basis regarding the increase of water level in the reservoir as decided at a meeting at Golaghat DC’s office on May 17.

NEEPCO further informed that due to existence of Doyang storage reservoir, the flood peak was getting moderated to the extent of the capacity of the reservoir permits.

It said the Doyang project authority has been maintaining a close contact with the district administration concerned and information regarding release of excess water through the spillway gate was being shared well in advance enabling actual flood forecasting.

Golaghat police on Saturday reached the Doyang Hydro Electric Project of NEEPCO to take the Head of plant, P Das to Golaghat police station for questioning following an FIR lodged by BJP MLA of Khumtai constituency against NEEPCO’s Doyang project in Golaghat police station on Friday. The FIR blamed the company for the current flood devastation in the district.

Reports said, a Golaghat police team picked up Das for questioning but was stopped on the way towards Bhandari in Wokha district by Nagaland police personnel. Later, he was taken to Bhandari police station after which Assam police served him a summon to come to Golaghat police station and was released after recording his statement.

Das had reportedly stated the plant had followed all necessary safety measures and issued advisories to all villages downstream in Nagaland and Assam through the district administration before the release of water from Doyang dam.